Marcus Debuts First Parking Lot Theater In IL
ELGIN, IL — Marcus Theatres in Elgin is getting creative in how it keeps its business up and running as social distancing guidelines remain in place across Illinois. Starting Friday, the theater, 111 S. Randall Road in Elgin, will begin showing movies on a 48-foot screen, which is affixed to the west side of its Elgin location, making it the first Marcus Theatres location in Illinois to offer this drive-in experience and the fifth nationwide.
Movies at the parking lot theater will be shown daily, and the movie choices will switch every week. Starting on Friday, Marcus Theatres will show E.T. and Jurassic Park. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the first showtime starts at 9:15.
E.T. and Jurassic Park will be shown, in that order, on June 26, 28, 30 and July 2 and tickets are available here. Jurassic Park will be shown first and E.T. second on June 29 and July 1 and tickets are available here.
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Meanwhile, a Garth Brooks drive-in concert experience is planned for Saturday with tickets now on sale here.
"We are excited to welcome back guests to our theatre through our first Parking Lot Cinema concept in Illinois and our fifth overall," said Rolando Rodriguez, chairman, president and CEO of Marcus Theatres. "We know that our guests are looking forward to enjoying movies together again and this provides an option to do so. It also provides a comfortable way to ease into the process since viewing is from the privacy of their own vehicles. The consumer response to our Parking Lot Cinemas has been incredibly positive so far, and we are pleased to now bring this option to Elgin."
Like other drive-in theaters, guests tune into a radio frequency (107.7 FM) to access the sound, and lights will be turned down to create a moviegoing atmosphere in the lot. In addition, concessions and food will be available are available for online ordering and pick-up at a designated area. There is space for 93 cars, and moviegoers should plan to show up at least 45 minutes before the first showing to secure a spot. Restrooms will be available as well, according to the news release.
The cost is $20 per car load, Monday through Thursday, and $25 per carload, Friday through Sunday. Those interested in reading more about the safety guidelines that have been set up for the parking lot movie theater can do so online.
More via Marcus Theatres website
This article originally appeared on the Elgin Patch
